Donegal County Council appeal to landowners to be vigilant as hot weather brings fire risk

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has issued a notice of high fire risk (Condition Orange) effective for all areas where hazardous fuels such as gorse, heather, dried grasses and other dead vegetation exist.

The risk is compounded by moderate easterly wind speeds in excess of 20kph in some areas. The risk will persist until at least midday on the 1st July 2019.

Donegal County Council wishes to appeal to landowners and members of the public to exercise caution and to take all necessary measures to prevent the occurrence of wildfires involving material such as gorse, heather and similar.

Land owners and members of the public are urged to be vigilant and to report any uncontrolled or unattended fires immediately to the Fire Service by dialling 999 or 112. 

The Council is also urging landowners and members of the public not to engage in activities that could cause wildfires.

Householders or building owners in areas susceptible to wildfire are advised to remove or cut back any vegetation in the immediate vicinity of their house, building or oil tank to prevent wildfires damaging or destroying their property.

Donegal County Council would also like to remind landowners and members of the public that under the Wildlife Acts, 1976 and 2000 it is an offence to cut, grub, burn or otherwise destroy any vegetation growing on any land not then cultivated between 1st day of March and 31st day of August in any year.